“I hope I can be this carefree when I’m older.”
“If and only if you live beyond the age of eighteen.” I regret my bitter words as soon as they roll off my tongue. I can’t help myself when it comes to Haze. Listening to Zoey sob over this guy for a year gave me a full-blown Haze allergy.
“Harsh.” She exhales.
Guilt coils in my throat.
“I know. I know. I’m being an asshole, I’m sorry. It’s just… Haze Adams is only as nice as he needs to be to get your trust. Promise me you’ll stay away.”
It takes her too long to agree for my liking. “I promise.”
I nod, focusing on the road and attempting to convince myself that I fixed it. That I fixed her. But deep down, I know… if Haze decides he wants Winter, homegirl is screwed.
Haze Adams always gets what he wants.
“Finally! Alex, they’re back,” Will shouts when Winter strolls into the house, dropping our shopping bags onto the tiled floor. I come in after her, immediately locking eyes with the broad-shouldered blond in my kitchen.
“Aw, did someone miss us?” Winter teases.
Tucking his hands in his sweatpants pocket, Will analyzes me. He looks like he’s debating on something. Then, as though he’s made up his mind, he cracks the ghost of a smile. It’s a two-second smile, if that, but in that last second…
Something different lingers.
Something new.
I feel like we share some sort of secret now, which is dumb seeing as we did nothing wrong—I mean, except break onto private property together. Intimidated, I sever the eye contact and pluck my phone out of my purse. I have two missed calls from an unknown number.
As if our return is the most anticipated event of the year, Alex rushes inside the room with nerve-racking anxiety flowing out of him.
“What’s up with you?” Winter asks.
“You’ve been gone for like two years, that’s what’s up,” Alex pants, eyeing our shopping bags on the floor.
I look up from my phone. “We’ve been gone for like four hours.”
“What the hell were you doing at the mall for four hours anyway?” Will mocks, making me want to slap the cocky grin off his face.
“Hunting elephants,” I deadpan. “Isn’t it obvious? We were shopping. What do you think we were doing?”
Will lifts an eyebrow. “Shopping for what? And don’t tell me shoes. You already have 2,433 pairs.”
“That’s not true,” Winter cuts in.
“Thanks, Winter,” I say, grateful for her support.
“She has 2,435.”
Alex and Will suppress a laugh. What? It’s not my fault shoes bring me more joy than the male species. Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I pick up as many bags as humanly possible and take the stairs two at a time, eager to find out who the missed calls are from.
“Thanks, Jenny. Of course I’ll be there. Thank you again.” I hang up and drop onto my bed with a squeal.
I have a job.
Me.
I have a freaking job.
I spoke with Jenny, the store manager, for around twenty minutes, clearing up the last details. I unlock my phone to call Morgan and tell her I’ll be able to afford fixing my shitty car in the near foreseeable future, but just as I’m about to press the Call button, a new message pops onto my screen.
Unknown Number: I think you need glasses
I frown. I don’t have this number registered in my phone.
Kass: Who is this?
Minutes pass before my phone goes off again.
Unknown Number: I was in the kitchen just now and you didn’t say hi. Obviously you didn’t see me so I’ll let it slide this once.
I grin. How did Will get my number?
Kass: I never say hi to you. You never cared before.
Unknown Number: Yeah, but I took you to my secret spot. We’re friends now.
Kass: You mean your shagging spot.
Unknown Number: Same thing.
Kass: Fine. Hi Willy Wonka.
Unknown Number: Don’t call me that, control freak.
Kass: That nickname is never going to go away, is it?
Unknown Number: Are you going to stop wanting to control everything?
Kass: No.
Unknown Number: Then it’s staying
I add his number to my contacts under Willy Wonka.
Kass: Are u still at my house?
Willy Wonka: Yep, waiting for your cousin. We have this thing tonight.
A thing? Probably some street fighting bullshit. I still can’t believe how quickly my cousin got herself involved in my brother’s mess. That’s got to take some serious skills. She hasn’t even been here a month yet.
Kass: What thing?
Willy Wonka: Would you believe me if I said fighting for world peace?
Kass: Nope.
Willy Wonka: Didn’t think so.
Kass: Does that “thing” have anything to do with Haze by any chance?
Ten minutes go by.
Willy Wonka: Maybe
Of course.
Kass: Just watch out for her please. I know Haze’s type. Winter is not prepared for that kind of player.
Willy Wonka: Believe it or not, I think he might actually kind of like her.
Kass: Good one.
Willy Wonka: I’m serious
Kass: Are you crazy? Because he helped her at the party doesn’t mean shit.
Willy Wonka: I’m just saying.
I’m not sure how to reply to that, so I don’t, letting the conversation die. I used to carry text conversations on my back all the time with Blake. I’d kill myself trying to rekindle our boring exchanges and come up with new topics, only to get short, one-word replies every time. I swore I’d never bend over backward like this again. Unless Will makes an eff—
Ding!
Willy Wonka: How’s the hangover?
Ah. Shit. Stop smiling.
Kass: I’m still alive, aren’t I?
Willy Wonka: I’m always here if you need a glass of water or… anything else.
Wait…
Kass: Are you hitting on me, Martins?
He takes a few minutes to reply.
I hate that I’m growing restless.
Willy Wonka: Do you want me to be hitting on you?
Do I?
Kass: Why are you texting me?
Willy Wonka: I felt something last night. A connection. I can’t explain it. All I know is I’d like to get to know you better.
A bit flustered, I read his text on repeat. There’s no way he means that. He’s fucking with me.
Kass: Translation: you’re bored
